Fluid cooling apparatus for a fuel cell device and fuel cell system

Abstract

Liquid cooling apparatus for a fuel cell device, which is configured as an independent unit and by means of which the fuel cell device can be provided with cooling liquid and heated liquid can be removed from the fuel cell device, comprising an inlet connection for liquid, an outlet connection for liquid, a radiator, at least one fan, which is speed-controlled and directed at the radiator, and a temperature-controlled two-way valve, wherein a first path passes through the radiator and a second path by-passes the radiator and a mass flow distribution of the liquid into the first path and the second path can be adjusted by the two-way valve.

1 . Liquid cooling apparatus for a fuel cell device, which is configured as an independent unit and which is adapted to provide the fuel cell device with cooling liquid and to remove heated liquid from the fuel cell device, comprising:
 an inlet connection for liquid;   an outlet connection for liquid;   a radiator;   at least one fan, which is speed-controlled and directed at the radiator;   and   a temperature-controlled two-way valve;   wherein a first path passes through the radiator and a second path by-passes the radiator and a mass flow distribution of the liquid into the first path and the second path is adjustable by the two-way valve.   
     
     
         2 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two-way valve is configured as a three/two-way valve. 
     
     
         3 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one temperature sensor is associated with the two-way valve, and wherein the two-way valve is controlled on the basis of measured temperature values of the at least one temperature sensor. 
     
     
         4 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the two-way valve has a detecting element, on which the at least one temperature sensor is arranged. 
     
     
         5 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is associated with a liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is arranged in such a way that an inlet temperature into a liquid reservoir is measurable or the at least one temperature sensor is arranged in such a way that a temperature in the liquid reservoir is measurable. 
     
     
         7 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is arranged in such a way that an outlet temperature following a pump is measurable. 
     
     
         8 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two-way valve is configured as at least one of a thermostat valve and a thermo-hydraulic valve. 
     
     
         9 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a pump for conveying liquid, which is operated in an uncontrolled manner at a mass flow working point. 
     
     
         10 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises an internal liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a filter device which is arranged downstream of the inlet connection. 
     
     
         12 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein associated with the at least one fan is its own temperature sensor. 
     
     
         13 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein associated with the at least one fan is its own speed controller. 
     
     
         14 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a plurality of fans, which are individually speed-controlled. 
     
     
         15 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a switching device, by means of which one or more fans are switchable on or off. 
     
     
         16 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a fan, when switched on, is operated at a finite minimum rotational speed. 
     
     
         17 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a temperature sensor, which measures the temperature of the liquid in the first path before entering the radiator, and wherein a fan is switchable on or off on the basis of the measured temperature values. 
     
     
         18 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises an operating mode below a first threshold temperature for the liquid to be cooled, in which the liquid is guided by the two-way valve into the second path. 
     
     
         19 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein, in this operating mode, at least one fan is operated at a finite minimum rotational speed. 
     
     
         20 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises an opening of the two-way valve with temperature-controlled distribution of the mass flow of liquid into the first path and the second path when the first threshold temperature is exceeded. 
     
     
         21 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein a speed control for the at least one fan is provided when the first threshold temperature is exceeded. 
     
     
         22 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a switching on of at least one further fan is provided when a second threshold temperature is exceeded, which is above the first threshold temperature. 
     
     
         23 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the switching on of the at least one fan takes place at a finite minimum rotational speed. 
     
     
         24 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, during operation, at least one fan is operated at least at a minimum rotational speed. 
     
     
         25 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises an alarm device for monitoring operation. 
     
     
         26 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the alarm device comprises a plurality of limit monitors connected one behind the other. 
     
     
         27 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the alarm device comprises at least one of (i) a temperature monitor for an inlet temperature of the liquid; and (ii) a filling level monitor on a liquid reservoir; and (iii) a minimal through-flow monitor for liquid. 
     
     
         28 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a respective liquid coupling which blocks both ways is arranged at at least one of the inlet connection and the outlet connection. 
     
     
         29 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus has an autonomous configuration, a temperature control for the cooling being based on internal measurements. 
     
     
         30 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a circuit, in which heated liquid is provided to a hydrogen sorption storage device for the desorption of hydrogen. 
     
     
         31 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein a heat transfer device, which is in thermal contact with the hydrogen sorption storage device, is arranged in the circuit. 
     
     
         32 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the circuit is connected downstream of the inlet connection for liquid. 
     
     
         33 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein a switching valve for liquid to flow through a heat transfer device is arranged in the circuit and is temperature-controlled. 
     
     
         34 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a mixing device, by which a flow of heated liquid, which is provided by the inlet connection, and a flow from the hydrogen sorption storage device can be mixed and the mixture can be provided to the two-way valve. 
     
     
         35 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said liquid cooling apparatus comprises a distribution device, by which a liquid flow, which is provided by the inlet connection, is dividable into a partial flow for the circuit and a further partial flow. 
     
     
         36 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein a pump is arranged in the circuit. 
     
     
         37 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein a liquid container is connected upstream of the pump. 
     
     
         38 . Liquid cooling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein a flow adjustment device is arranged in the circuit. 
     
     
         39 . Fuel cell system, which comprises a fuel cell device and a liquid cooling apparatus for a fuel cell device, which is configured as an independent unit and which is adapted to provide the fuel cell device with cooling liquid and to remove heated liquid from the fuel cell device, comprising:
 an inlet connection for liquid;   an outlet connection for liquid;   a radiator;   at least one fan, which is speed-controlled and directed at the radiator; and   a temperature-controlled two-way valve;   wherein a first path passes through the radiator and a second path by-passes the radiator and a mass flow distribution of the liquid into the first path and the second path is adjustable by the two-way valve; and   wherein the liquid cooling apparatus is coupled by an inlet connection and the outlet connection to the fuel cell device.